North Hempstead, NY– Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Councilwoman Viviana Russell, and the North Hempstead Town Board paid tribute last week to Frances Bruschi, the Carle Place & BOCES student who saved a fellow classmate’s life after he had a near-fatal allergic reaction to a bee sting.

“Once in a while we learn of someone in the Town who does something extraordinary,” said Supervisor Kaiman. “There’s a family out there that still has their son because of you, Francis, and we cannot commend you enough.”

When Bruschi was walking to the bus to head home from BOCES one day, she noticed a large group of students gathered around a student. When she got closer, she realized that there was a classmate on the ground who had been stung by a bee and was suffering from an extreme allergic reaction.

“The boy began turning all different colors and it was apparent he was danger,” said Bruschi, 17. “I checked his pocket and I found an EpiPen. I injected it in his leg, and he ended up being okay.”

Shortly after injecting the student, the school nurse came by and told Bruschi that she likely saved his life.

The name “EpiPen” is short for epinephrine autoinjector. It is a medical device used to deliver a dose of epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) for the treatment of acute allergic reactions to avoid the onset of anaphylactic shock.

“I’d like to thank you, Francis, for stepping out of your comfort zone and saving someone’s life,” said Councilwoman Russell, who presides over Bruschi’s district. “As a parent of a child with allergies, I know how important it is for someone to be at the right place at the right time, and your actions were nothing short of heroic.”

Family, friends, and even her Carle Place Principal, Thomas DePaola, were present for the ceremony, which took place before last week’s Town Board meeting.

“All the members of the Carle Place community could not be more proud of Francis,” said Principal DePaola. “She is a fine example of all that we strive to teach to our students, in not only an academic setting, but in a practical one as well. Francis is a great kid, and we’re proud to have her in our Carle Place family.”

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Bruschi’s story is the timeliness of it all. Just 24 hours (almost to the minute) before arriving at the frantic scene, Bruschi was getting certified in CPR. It was then that her gym teacher taught her how to use an EpiPen for the first time. If she hadn’t learned such a valuable lesson in emergency response just the day before, the situation could have been much direr.

“On behalf of the Town Board, our Town Clerk, and the 220,000 plus residents of the Town of North Hempstead, I’d like to thank you for your remarkable and selfless actions,” said Supervisor Kaiman. “When someone’s life was in the balance, you stepped forward and took charge. And that’s the sign of true leadership.”

Frances Bruschi and her family display the Proclamation given to her by Supervisor Kaiman, Councilwoman Russell, and members of the Town Board